TOWN OF NEWBURGH — A U.S. Marine helped chase down and nab a man running away with stolen bags of cash from the Neptune Diner on Sunday, police said.

At about noon, John Knaggs, 27, of Cornwall, walked into the Route 17K diner and started a conversation with the owner about a credit- card payment the night before, Town of Newburgh police said.

When the owner stepped away to seat customers, police said, Knaggs reached over the counter, grabbed two bags of money and ran out the door.

The owner, Marie Spina; and a customer, Charles Smith of New Windsor; ran after Knaggs across Route 17K, police said.

While running across the road, they passed in front of Staff Sgt. Michael Forras as he was driving down the road. Forras was wearing his military uniform and is stationed at Stewart Air National Guard Base.

Forras turned his car around, got out of his vehicle and chased Knaggs west up 17K to the area of the Howard Johnson Inn, police said. He identified himself as a U.S. Marine and took Knaggs into custody, according to police.

Knaggs is being held in Newburgh lockup pending arraignment on grand larceny charges and an investigation is ongoing, police said.